Beach Boys (3 page)

“What else do I need to do?”

“Just stand there and look delicious,” he said. “Ready? Here they come.”

He opened the door that led from the hotel to the pool.

“Welcome to Atlantis, sir.”

I grabbed a stack of towels and proceeded to hand one to each of the four men who entered.

“I’m Kyle, and this is Ben. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, son,” the first man said.

He had salt-and-pepper hair, a spare tire, and was definitely old enough to be my father. I hoped he wouldn’t be requiring anything more than ice-cold drinks.

“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest things?”

Kyle smiled.

“Yes, we are,” I said.

“Look, Johnny,” the second man said to the third. “He’s cute and he knows it.”

“Well, why shouldn’t he?” Johnny said. “If I had a body like that...”

“You
did
have a body like that. Too bad my cooking spoiled it.”

Johnny laughed. “It was worth it, Larry. I have no regrets.”

It was obvious that these two were committed. Flirting might guarantee a good tip, but I doubted either of them would wind up being our sugar daddies.

The fourth man, however, was a different story. He was tall, dark, and mysterious. He took the towel out of my hand without so much as a “thank you” and made his way to a chair in the corner between the sauna and the hot tub.

“You know him, Kyle?” I asked.

“Yes,” Kyle said. “That’s Carlos Vega. He’s on the tour. A self-made millionaire, most of it from playing poker.”

“What are my chances?”

“I honestly don’t know. I saw him a few times last year. But he was usually with a woman. Not that that means anything these days.”

“I’m going to give a shot,” I said.

“Don’t worry if it goes nowhere,” Kyle said. “There are plenty of others who are interested. The old guy, for starters.”

“No, thanks,” I said. “I know you said it gets easier, but I don’t think I can do someone that I’m not attracted to.”

“Suit yourself,” Kyle said. “But if you want to make the big bucks, you can’t be so picky.”

* * * *

I waited twenty minutes before I decided to check in on Carlos.

“Can I get you anything, sir? Another drink perhaps?”

He’d stripped down to a Speedo and was sunning himself. “No, thanks.”

“You might want to turn over soon,” I said. “You’re starting to get a little pink.”

He nodded, but didn’t move.

“I can get you some sunscreen if you’re worried about getting burned.”

“I’m fine for now.”

“I’ll be back to check on you in a bit, then.”

“Okay,” he said.

I didn’t really want to take no for an answer. So I lingered there for an extra moment. He glistened with sweat but didn’t smell musky.

“That will be all,” he said.

“Of course, sir,” I said.

I have to admit being disheartened when he didn’t offer me a tip.

* * * *

“What do you think I should do now, Kyle?”

“I’d move on,” Kyle said. “Maybe he’s not...you know.”

“I’m getting a vibe,” I said.

“You wish you were getting a vibe.”

“No, there’s something there. He’s just...reserved.”

“Maybe he wants to be the one to make the first move.”

Duh. Now why didn’t I think of that? Maybe I needed to step up my game and play hard to get.

I spent the afternoon virtually ignoring Carlos. I flirted with Johnny and Larry, who claimed they were going to kidnap me and take me back to Chicago. I even cozied up to the old man. The old man wanted to take me out for drinks after my shift was over. I left that request on the table. If I couldn’t get Carlos’s attention by then, I might have to consider other opportunities. Maybe Kyle was right: being picky could really impact the bottom line. The cabana boy gig was nice, but I didn’t want it to become my career.

After a couple of hours, Carlos flagged me down.

“Ben?”

“Yes, Mr. Vega?”

He handed me the old glass, which was hot from sitting in the sun.

“I could use a fresh drink.”

“Jack and Coke, coming up.”

I met Kyle at the bar.

“Any luck?” he said.

“He remembered my name.”

“I guess that’s progress,” he said.

“Okay, boys. What can I do you for?” Tom wiped off the counter, then threw the bar towel over his shoulder.

“I need two Miami Vices,” Kyle said.

Tom laughed, “Is the fuck-me drink for the lovebirds?”

We watched as Larry exited the pool. Johnny waited, towel in hand and gave him a quick rub down to dry off.

“Yeah,” said Kyle. “Can you believe those two have been together for twenty years?”

Tom set up the blenders. Frozen daiquiri mix in one, frozen colada mix in the other. “Let’s make sure it’s a happy anniversary.” He poured an extra shot of rum in each and turned the blenders on.

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” Kyle said.

Larry rolled his head forward and arched his back as Johnny smeared a fresh coat of sunscreen from his shoulders down to his waist. He rubbed it in gentle circles, stopping every few seconds to plant a kiss. He seemed to be on a mission of rediscovery.

It was turning me on.

“How about you, Ben?”

“Jack and Coke,” I said.

Tom nodded. He filled a fresh glass with ice, gave a generous pour and a spritz of Coke. “Maybe that will help your cause.”

“Thanks,” I said.

I delivered the drink. The ice cubes clinked against the side of the glass as I set it on the low table next to Carlos’s deck chair.

Carlos didn’t acknowledge me.

“Will there be anything else?”

He lowered his sunglasses. His eyes were as dark as his hair, but were flecked with gold. “I think I’d better take you up on the sunscreen or else I’m going to have to get out of the sun.”

The sunscreen wasn’t going to do him much good at this point. His shoulders were already burnt. I felt a slight twinge of guilt for not checking back on him sooner.

“Maybe getting out of the sun would be best,” I said. “You’re a little crispy around the edges.”

Carlos frowned. “I’d hate to go back to my room alone.”

I waited for a beat. Was this an invitation or just a statement of fact?

“You know what’s good for a sunburn?” I said.

“No, what?”

“Aloe.”

“I don’t have any.”

“We have some in the supply room. I’d suggest taking a shower before putting it on, though. If you want to head back to your room, I could bring some up.”

“When are you supposed to be off work?”

“In a hour,” I said.

“Bring it up then,” Carlos said.

I smiled. This was progress.

“Try not to look like the cat who ate the canary. No one needs to know my business. Discretion is key.” He got up and handed me his towel.

“Understood, Mr. Vega.”

“See you in an hour.”

* * * *

My shift was almost over when the old man sidled up to me at the bar. I was closing out his tab.

“So what do you say? Drinks at Bellagio?”

“I’m really sorry, Mr. Anderson. I’m going to have to take a rain check.”

“That’s too bad, son. Would’ve liked to get to know you better.”

“My friend, Kyle, might be free,” I said.

“You think so?”

“Only one way to find out.”

I waved Kyle over.

Kyle must’ve smelled the dollar signs.

The next thing I knew Mr. Anderson was stuffing a fifty-dollar bill in my pocket and thanking me for the “tip.”

While Mr. Anderson gathered up his belongings, Kyle said, “Are you sure you don’t want him? I feel bad about stealing a client.”

“He’s not my type.”

“Too bad about Vega. I noticed he left earlier.”

“It’s okay.”

“What are you going to do tonight?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I lied. “Don’t worry about me. If I can’t find a way to entertain myself in Vegas, it’s my own fault.”

“True. So true.”

Mr. Anderson said, “You ready, son?”

Kyle said, “You bet.” Then, to me, “Okay, Ben. I’ve got to go. See you tomorrow.”

I nodded.

I went back to my section of the deck, straightened up the chairs, collected the stray towels and threw them in the hamper. When I was satisfied that my station looked as good as it did when I came in, I checked out with Tom.

“Is it all right if I steal a tube of aloe from the supply cabinet on my way out?”

“It’s coming out of your check,” Tom said.

“No problem,” I said. “It’ll save me a trip to the store.”

“See you tomorrow, kid.”

* * * *

I arrived at the penthouse suite fifteen minutes later than I’d planned. I stopped in the locker room to take a shower and change out of that ridiculous uniform. The shirt and shorts were so tight that sometimes I felt like a HOOTERS girl. But I guess being eye candy is part of the whole cabana boy appeal. I had the aloe in hand and hoped Carlos wouldn’t mind the delay.

He answered the door with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Come on in.”

He stepped aside to allow my entry.

“I took the shower, like you told me.” His grin spread from ear to ear. “I like doing what I’m told.”

“Really, Mr. Vega? That’s surprising.”

“Why?”

“Powerful men usually have a hard time giving up control.”

“When it comes to business, that’s true. But when I play, I want to have a little fun.”

“What should I tell you to do next?”

“Whatever you want.”

I felt slightly out of sorts. He wanted me to take the reins, but I wasn’t completely comfortable steering. I worried I might be too forward. Perhaps it would be best to test the waters with an easy request.

“How about a kiss?”

I set the tube of aloe on the end table near the couch.

Carlos put his hands on my face and guided my lips to his. The kiss was short and gentle, an icebreaker.

“That was nice,” I said. “But I think you can do better.”

This time, our lips parted as they met. Carlos thrust his tongue inside my mouth. Our teeth clicked. It wasn’t painful, but it was forceful. The man did not lack passion.

“Wow,” I said. I was a little dizzy and breathless. “Wasn’t wrong about that.”

Carlos sighed.

“To be honest,” I said. “I wasn’t sure if you were interested.”

“Look,” he said. “I know about the extra services the staff at Atlantis offers. And I know the boys talk. I’m a private person. If you decide to stay, whatever happens here stays here. I’ll make sure you’re generously compensated for your time. But if you can’t promise to be discreet, then you might as well go now.”

“Whatever happens is our business,” I said. “No one else needs to know.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t wrong about you.”

Carlos hugged me, then winced when I touched his shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I almost forgot about the aloe.”

Carlos sat down on the couch.

I picked up the tube, unscrewed the cap and squirted a small amount into my hand. I stood behind him, rubbed my hands together and began to apply the gel to Carlos’s shoulders.

“It’s cold,” he said as he shivered. “But it feels good.”

I ran my fingers gently across his shoulders. I felt the heat of the sunburn as the gel worked its way into his skin. His shoulders were broad and his biceps and pecs were well defined. I got hard just thinking about it.

“There,” I said. “Is that better?”

“Much,” he said. “You mind if I ditch the towel?”

“No.”

He stood and tugged on the corner of the towel that had been tucked in. It unfurled, revealing everything. I’d gotten a good look at him in the Speedo earlier, but somehow his being completely naked before me was still mesmerizing.

“Mr. Vega,” I smirked. “You are heavenly.”

“I’d say the same, but it’s hard to tell since you’ve still got your clothes on.”

“You could take them off.”

“That sounds like a request, not a command.”

“Strip me now,” I said.

Carlos complied. He started with my T-shirt, lifting it up and over my head. He cast it aside. I don’t know where it landed. Carlos pushed me backwards, stopping at the edge of the bed. He unzipped my shorts and let them fall to the floor. My boxers were next. He slid his fingers under the waistband and pulled them down. I kicked them both the rest of the way off.